If we had a local groundhog emerge yesterday, it would have predicted an early spring here at Dancing TreePeople Orchard. The signs of spring are everywhere: daffodils are emerging, jonquils have already begun their flowering, the orchard canopy is teaming with a variety of birds: robins, redwing blackbirds, swallows, wild turkey, red-headed woodpeckers and an occasional heron. On the domestic front, last seasons chick have begun laying eggs, though they have not selected a consistent location: each day brings another egg hunt for sport and entertainment.

Our soil is soft and saturated with the recent rain, grasses, grains and legumes have sprouted. I wish I had made some seed balls this winter as the conditions are perfect for their sprouting right now. Perhaps next season.

In the meantime, it is a joy to plan this years garden: the soils are alive with rich compost and rotting straw cover. Dancing TreePeople orchard is coming back to life.